Deep Versus Superficial Heating in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart54 enrolled

Overview

Heat therapy is frequently prescribed to patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Deep hyperthermia via localized microwave diathermy is effective in several musculoskeletal painful conditions. However, the efficacy of superficial heating is controversial. Furthermore, no clinical trials have yet directly compared the effects of these treatment modalities in knee OA. Hence, the purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of deep and superficial hyperthermia, induced via microwave diathermy and hot packs, respectively, on pain and function in patients with symptomatic knee OA.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Knee Osteoarthritis

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women aged 18 years or older * Moderate, mono or bilateral knee osteoarthritis * Pain lasting for at least three weeks Exclusion Criteria: * Inability or unwillingness to sign informed consent * Previous surgery on the affected knee * Intra-articular injections with steroids or hyaluronic acid in prior 6 months * Physical therapy for knee problems in prior 6 months * Congenital or acquired inflammatory or neurological (systemic or local) diseases involving the knee * Chronic NSAID or steroid treatment * Cognitive or psychiatric disorders * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Contraindications to hyperthermia (cancer in prior 2 years or active cancer treatment, local thrombosis, impaired arterial circulation, altered cutaneous thermal sensitivity, local infections or systemic acute infections, metal implants or prosthesis, severe osteoporosis

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC scale)

Time frame: 12 months

Secondary Outcomes

British Medical Research Council (BMRC) rating scale

Time frame: 6 months

Pain visual analogue scale (VAS)